Motocross portable starting gate

ABSTRACT

A single position motocross starting gate having a pair of U-shaped members pivotally connected together at one end of each U-shape. A releasing mechanism having a normally extending pin is positioned on one of the U-shaped members to pivotally support in an interference relationship the other U-shaped member in a first angular position relative to the one U-shaped member. Releasing means such as a lanyard is connected to the releasing mechanism to slideably move the pin causing the other U-shaped member to drop and be in line with the one U-shaped member. When this happens, the rider on the motocross motorcycle can move forward over the two U-shaped members. Typically another individual other than the driver pulls the lanyard.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is related to co-pending Provisional Patent Applicationclaiming the benefit of Ser. No. 60/469,843 entitled “Motocross PortableStarting Gate” having attorney docket 03-01 filed on May 10, 2003 byJames Gunderson.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to motorcycle staring gates in general and moreparticular to a motocross starting gate that is portable and can beoperated by a non-driver causing random timing of gate operation.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

In the sport of motocross, the start of the race is very important toplacement of the motorcycle and driver at the finish. A fast startallows the driver to have his motorcycle out in front of the packallowing him to find the best route over the several moguls.

Motocross racing generally involves several cyclists who race side-byside down a dirt track having at least one mogul. The cyclists and theirmotorcycles remain behind a mechanically operated starting gate prior tothe beginning of a race. A Starter is generally positioned along thestarting line, controls the operation of the starting gate. The Starteractuates a mechanism that releases an upper U-shaped gate at each startposition. Upon release, the upper U-shaped gate drops, due to its ownweight, to the ground. When the upper U-shaped gate is on the ground themotorcycle drivers drive their motorcycles over the starting gate anddown the track. If one of the drivers tries to start early, the upperU-shaped gate will block the front wheel of the motorcycle from movingforward. The driver must then physically move his motorcycle back untilthe upper U-shaped gate drops and then he can move forward down thetrack, well behind the other racers. U.S. Pat. No. 4,134,230 is anexample of such a multiple rider starting gate but is not a portablestarting gate due to its size and construction.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,994,491 illustrates another type of multiple riderstarting gate that uses a plurality of cables strung across eachstarting position. When the Starter actuates the gate, the cables arepivoted downward to a horizontal position to lie on the ground, allowingthe drivers to drive over them. A heavy plate member that is latched toa fixed post delineates each starting position. The heavy plate membersupports the cables in the vertical position so as to keep themotorcycles from starting until a latch mechanism on each plate memberis released and the cables pivot and fall to a horizontal position onthe ground. In this gate, if a motorcycle starts early, it is heldagainst the cables until the cables drop. The driver does not have tophysically move the motorcycle to clear the cables as the cables dropaway from the cycle.

At the present time, practicing the start of the race, unless a driverhas access to a motocross racetrack, is very difficult due to theunavailability of a portable motocross starting gate. With a portablemotocross starting gate, a driver with the help of another person caneffectively tune his reflexes in manner that is very similar, if notexactly in conditions similar to that which he/she would find at amotocross race.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A motocross portable starting gate provides a starting gate operationfor a single motocross motorcycle as that found in motocross races. Thegate has a first U-shaped member with a pair of substantially straightparallel sides secured to a first base member. A second U-shaped memberis adapted to nestle within the first U-shaped member and the secondU-shaped member likewise has a pair of substantially straight parallelsides secured to a second base member.

At least two hinge members are each positioned at the extending ends ofthe first and second U-shaped members allowing the second U-shapedmember to pivot relative to the first U-shaped member. A releasablemember is positioned along at least one of the straight parallel sidesof the first U-shaped member, the releasable member normally holds thesecond U-shaped member in a first pivot position wherein the secondU-shaped member is angularly spaced from the first U-shaped member.

Releasing means releases the releasable member causing the secondU-shaped member to pivot downward toward the first U-shaped member.

A method to provide a single motocross motorcycle a starting gateoperation such as that found in motocross races comprises the steps ofsecuring a first U-shaped member having a pair of substantially straightparallel sides secured to a first base member.

Then nestling a second U-shaped member having a pair of substantiallystraight parallel sides secured and nestling the second U-shaped memberwithin the substantially straight parallel sides of the first U-shapedmember in a first position. Securing the first U-shaped member to theground.

Hinging together the first and second U-shaped members at theirextending ends forming a unitary member. Next angularly pivoting thesecond U-shaped member relative to the first U-shaped member.

Positioning a releasable member along at least one of the straightparallel sides of the first U-shaped member, for normally holding thesecond U-shaped member in a first pivot position angularly spaced fromthe ground and the first U-shaped member; and then

Releasing the releasable member causing the second U-shaped member topivot downward toward the ground and the first U-shaped member.

It is a principal object of the invention to have a portable startinggate for a single motorcycle that allows a driver to practice starts.

It is yet another object of the invention to control the drop of thestarting gate in a random timing unknown to the driver.

It is another object of the invention to have a mechanical startingmechanism that is activated by a person other than the driver creatingrandom start timing.

It is still another object to utilize a battery operated startingmechanism that is initiated by the driver but having a random timingactuation.

It is another object to have a portable starting gate that can beoperated by the motorcycle driver without the aid and assistance ofanother person.

These and other objects and advantages will be found in followingdrawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side view of the portable motocross starting gateillustrating a front wheel of a motocross motorcycle near the gate;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the portable motocross starting gate ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the starting gate with one embodiment of thegate release mechanism;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the gate release mechanism in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5A is a sectional view of the one embodiment of the gate releasemechanism;

FIG. 5B is a sectional view of the one embodiment of the gate releasemechanism in an actuated position;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of an alternate embodiment of the gate releasemechanism; and

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of yet another embodiment of the gate releasemechanism.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In the sport of motocross, the start of the race is very important toplacement of the motorcycle and driver at the finish. A fast startallows the driver to have his motorcycle out in front of the packallowing him to find the best route over the several moguls.

At the present time, practicing the start of the race, unless a driverhas access to a motocross racetrack, is very difficult due to theunavailability of having a portable motocross starting gate. With aportable motocross starting gate, a driver with typically with the helpof another person can effectively tune his reflexes in manner that isvery similar, if not exactly in conditions similar to that which he/shewould find at a motocross race.

Referring to the preferred embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 1, thesingle starting gate 10 is positioned on the ground 12 in an openposition in relationship to the front wheel 14 of a motocross motorcyclecycle. Since the driver concentrates on the dropping of the firstU-shaped member 16, the front wheel 14 of the motorcycle is spaced adistance from the gate 10. The starting gate 10 comprises an uppersubstantially U-shaped upper gate member 16 that is pivotally 18 securedto a second U-shaped member 20 functioning as a base member to the gate.The weight of the upper gate member 16 is such that it will fall to theground when released as hereinafter described.

The second or lower U-shaped member 20 is located on the ground tosupport the portable starting gate 10. Secured to the second U-shapedmember 20 is a bracket 22 that in the preferred embodiment supports aspring released latching pin 24. The one end 26 of the pin 24 bearsagainst the upper U-shaped gate member 16 holding the upper gate memberat a first pivot position relative to the base member 20. The firstpivot positions the gate member 16 so that the top surface of the gatemember 16 is above the centerline of the axle 27 of the front wheel 14of the motocross cycle. This positioning will not allow the motocrosscycle to push the gate member 16 down if the pin has not been slideablyretracted.

Continuing with FIG. 2, which is a perspective view of the portablestarting gate 10 with reference to the front tire 14 of the cycle, thereis illustrated the bracket 22 positioning on the base member 20 with thelatching pin 24 bearing against the gate member 16. This bracket 22 canbe U-shaped illustrating the relationship of the pin 24 and the gate 16.The relative position of the bracket 22 is a matter of design and notinvention.

As shown in FIG. 3, one end 26 of the latching pin 24 is an extension ofthe pin that will typically terminate in a rectangular end and the otherend terminates in a head 30 to secure the pin 24 to the bracket 22 in anormal position with the pin extended. Attached to the head 30 of thelatching pin and outboard of the bracket 22 is a ring member 34 that issecured to a lanyard 36 such that by pulling the lanyard the latchingpin 22 will compress the spring 28 and slideably pull away from the gate16. Once the one end 26 of the latching pin is free of the gate, theweight of the gate causes the gate 16 to drop down to the ground 12.Once the gate drops, the motocross driver can drive over the gate thuscreating a starting situation. The advantage of the portable startinggate is that another person, such as another driver, a friend, and etc.can pull on the lanyard 36 without the driver in the gate knowing whenthe latching pin is pulled until he sees the gate 16 fall. Thisduplicates the action of one stall of a multiple gate found in themotocross races.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the portable motocross starting gate 10 showingone embodiment of the relationship of the gate member 16, the basemember 20 and the related bracket 22. Spaced along the base member 20,there are holes 38 for the placement of one or more pins to hold thebase member 20 to the ground 12.

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate the normal position of the pin 24 mounted ina channel bracket 40 secured to the second U-shaped member 20. In FIG.5A the lanyard 36 is connected to the ring member 34. The pin member 24has a stop member 42 located inside the channel bracket 40 that controlsthe free length of the compression spring 44. The other end of thecompression spring 44 is located against the inside of the channelbracket 40. In FIG. 5B the lanyard 36 is pulled and the pin member 24 isslideably moved from its interference relationship with the firstU-shaped bracket 16. The spring 44 is compressed and the stored energytherein, upon release of the lanyard will cause the pin member 34 toslideably return to its normal position. Since the first U-shaped memberis now on the ground, the stop member 42 and the head 30 prevent the pinmember from disengaging from the channel bracket 40. When the startinggate is to be used again, the pin is slideably moved back into thechannel bracket to be released in an interference relationship with thefirst U-shaped bracket 16.

FIG. 7 is a view of another release mechanism similar to that of FIGS.5A and 5B. In this FIG., the mechanism is positioned substantiallyadjacent to the hinge 18.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram schematic illustrating how an electricalcircuit may be employed as the release mechanism. The release mechanismis a solenoid 50 that has its plunger 52 held substantially out of thesolenoid 50 and in interference relationship with the first U-shapedbracket 16. A compression spring 54 is mounted on the solenoid plunger52 with its length controlled by a stop member 56. The solenoid 50 issecured to the second U-shaped member 20 substantially adjacent to thehinge 18. The placement of the solenoid 50 is a matter of design and notinvention. A battery 58, such as an automobile battery or the like iselectrically connected through a normally open push button switch 60 tothe solenoid 50. Upon switch actuation, the solenoid is energizedslideably moving the plunger 52 out of the interference relationshipwith the first U-shaped member 16 causing it to drop to the ground 12.

In accordance with the preferred embodiment, a method provides a singlemotocross motorcycle a starting gate operation such as that found inmotocross races comprises the steps of securing a first U-shaped memberhaving a pair of substantially straight parallel sides secured to afirst base member.

Then, nestling a second U-shaped member having a pair of substantiallystraight parallel sides secured and nestling the second U-shaped memberwithin the substantially straight parallel sides of the first U-shapedmember in a first position. Securing the first U-shaped member to theground.

Hinging together the first and second U-shaped members at theirextending ends forming a unitary member. Next angularly pivoting thesecond U-shaped member relative to the first U-shaped member.

Positioning a releasable member along at least one of the straightparallel sides of the first U-shaped member, for normally holding thesecond U-shaped member in a first pivot position angularly spaced fromthe ground and the first U-shaped member; and then

Releasing the releasable member causing the second U-shaped member topivot downward toward the ground and the first U-shaped member.

In the method for operating a portable starting gate the step ofreleasing includes provides a base member having a bore extendingtherethrough. The base member is mounted to one straight parallel sideof the first U-shaped member. Positioned in the bore is a slideablymounted pin member that typically extends from both ends of the bore.The pin member has a stop member at one end. Surrounding the pin memberis a spring member bearing between the base member and the stop memberholding the pin member in an interference relationship with the secondU-shaped member in the first pivot position. Securing a lanyard to thepin member at the end opposite the stop member, and then pulling on thelanyard for slideably moving the pin member out of the interferencerelationship with the second U-shaped member releasing it from the firstpivot position.

In this method, there are typically two people involved, one the driverand the other is a friend for pulling the lanyard at a random time,creating the environment of a motocross race.

An alternate method for operating a portable starting gate changes thestep of releasing by providing a power source. A solenoid is placed soas to have a reciprocating armature normally in an interferencerelationship with the second U-shaped member.

A solenoid is placed in circuit with the power source; and then anormally open switch member is positioned in electrical series with thepower source and the solenoid so that upon actuation of the switchmember power is supplied to the solenoid for slideably moving thearmature from its normally interference relationship with the secondU-shaped member releasing it from the first pivot position.

While the present invention has been described in an illustrativemanner, it should be understood that the terminology used is intended tobe in a nature of words of description rather than of limitation.

Accordingly, various changes and modifications may be made to theillustrative embodiment without departing from the spirit or scope ofthe invention. It is to be appreciated that those skilled in the artwill readily apply these teachings to other possible variations of theinventions. However, it is intended that the scope of the invention notbe limited in any way to the illustrative embodiment shown anddescribed.

1. A motocross motorcycle portable starting gate for providing a singlemotocross motorcycle a starting gate operation as that found inmotocross races, the gate comprising: a first U-shaped member having apair of substantially straight parallel sides secured to a base member;a second U-shaped member adapted to nestle within said first U-shapedmember, 3aid second U-shaped member having a pair of substantiallystraight parallel sides secured to a base member; at least two hingemembers each positioned at the extending ends of said first and secondU-shaped members allowing said second U-shaped member to pivot relativeto said first U-shaped member; a releasable member positioned along atleast one of the straight parallel sides of said first U-shaped member,said releasable member normally holding said second U-shaped member in afirst pivot position wherein said second U-shaped member is spaced fromsaid first U-shaped member; and means for releasing said releasablemember causing said second U-shaped member to pivot downward toward saidfirst U-shaped member.
 2. A portable starting gate according to claim 1wherein said first U-shaped member has a plurality of holes along saidstraight parallel sides adapted to receive means for securing said firstU-shaped member to the ground.
 3. A portable starting gate according toclaim 1 wherein the base member of said second U-shaped member isnormally positioned parallel to and above the front axle of the frontwheel of the motocross motorcycle preventing the front wheel from movingpast said first pivot position prior to said releasable member beingreleased.
 4. A portable starting gate according to claim 1 wherein saidreleasable member is a solenoid with a normally extending plungerholding said second U-shaped member in said first pivot position.
 5. Aportable starting gate according to claim 4 additionally including aseries circuit having a normally open switch in series between a powermeans and said solenoid, the actuation of said switch releases saidsecond U-shaped member from said first pivot position.
 6. A portablestarting gate according to claim 1 wherein said releasable membercomprises: a base member having a bore extending therethrough; said basemember mounted to said one straight parallel side of said first U-shapedmember; a pin member slideably mounted in said bore and extending fromboth ends of said bore, said pin member having a stop member at one end;a spring member surrounding said pin member and bearing against saidbase member and said stop member and operable to hold said pin member-inan interference relationship with said second U-shaped member in saidfirst pivot position; a lanyard secured to said pin member at the endopposite said stop member and operable to slideably move said pin memberout of said interference relationship with said second U-shaped membercausing said U-shaped member to be released from said first pivotposition.
 7. A portable starting gate according to claim 6 wherein saidspring member is a compression spring.
 8. A method providing a singlemotocross motorcycle a starting gate operation as that found inmotocross races, the method comprising the steps of: securing a firstU-shaped member having a pair of substantially straight parallel sidessecured to a base member; securing a second U-shaped member having apair of substantially straight parallel sides secured to a base member;nestling the second U-shaped member within the substantially straightparallel sides of the first U-shaped member in a first position; hingingtogether the first and second U-shaped members at their extending ends;allowing the second U-shaped member to pivot relative to the firstU-shaped member; securing the second U-shaped member to the ground;positioning a releasable member along at least one of the straightparallel sides of the second U-shaped member, for normally holding thesecond U-shaped member in a first pivot position spaced from the groundand the first U-shaped member; and then releasing the releasable membercausing the first U-shaped member to pivot downward toward the groundand the second U-shaped member.
 9. A method for operating a portablestarting gate according to claim 8 wherein the step of releasingincludes: providing a base member having a bore extending therethrough;mounting the base member to one straight parallel side of the secondU-shaped member; positioning a pin member slideably mounted in the boreand extending from both ends of the bore; providing the pin member witha stop member at one end; surrounding said pin member with a springmember bearing between the base member and the stop member holding thepin member in an interference relationship with the first U-shapedmember in the first pivot position; securing a lanyard to the pin memberat the end opposite the stop member; and then pulling on the lanyard forslideably moving the pin member out of the interference relationshipwith the first U-shaped member releasing it from the first pivotposition.
 10. A method for operating a portable starting gate accordingto claim 8 wherein the step of releasing includes: providing a powersource; placing a solenoid having a reciprocating armature normally inan interference relationship with the first U-shaped member; positioningthe solenoid in circuit with the power source; and then positioning anormally open switch member in electrical series with the power sourceand the solenoid so that upon actuation of the switch member power issupplied to the solenoid for slideably moving the armature from itsnormally interference relationship with the first U-shaped memberreleasing it from the first pivot position.